Nick & Jamie
Nick and Jamie's Story
Army Corporal Nick Orchowski was on his first deployment when he was left a quadriplegic after being thrown from the gunner’s hatch of a vehicle that was hit during an insurgents' attack, in Baghdad, Iraq in May 2004. Married only four days before deploying to Iraq, CPL Orchowski was the main gunner of the lead vehicle in a convoy, when they came under attack while on the main supply route leading into Baghdad. An insurgent's vehicle ambushed the convoy, slamming into CPL Orchowski’s vehicle, the impact disabling the truck and throwing Nick out of the gunner’s hatch. With his right shoulder pushed into his cervical spine area, CPL Orchowski suffered fractures of C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae and was immediately paralyzed from the neck down. As a medic worked to save his life, shots continued ring out and the ambush raged on. Nick's last thoughts before falling unconscious were of his wife and unborn child..., "This wasn't supposed to happen...is this how it's going to end?" Airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany and then to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, his next memory was waking up on a respirator, unable to move, his head in a HALO device.
As the reality of his condition set in, CPL Orchowski was determined to push for his recovery. Multiple surgeries and medications were tried to remedy the complications of his injuries. A serious infection complicated things and Nick endured his seventh surgery to try to find the root of the infection. While on the operating table, as the surgeon made an incision in the back of his neck, the spine popped into place...alleviating the pressure on the vertebrae, thereby un-pinching the spinal cord and reconnecting the nerve pathways. Some would say this is no less than a miracle. CPL Orchowski is now diagnosed with Incomplete Quadriplegia. There is no way of knowing if he will again be fully paralyzed in the future, but he has vowed to live each day to the fullest. Left with the complications of a seizure disorder and moving with the aid of braces on his legs and right wrist, Nick continues to push for his own recovery.
CPL Orchowski enjoys spending time with his wife, Jamie and their two young children. Nick is a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Freedom Hunters, and American Military Families. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing. He looks forward to raising his children and being a great husband and dad, as well as doing more to assist veterans.
Please note, White Willow Studio did NOT in any way produce this video. This is home video provided by Sarah Vanderhill.How We're Helping
Approached by Sarah Vanderhill, a close friend of Nick and Jamie's, White Willow Studio was asked to donate our videography services for the wedding they never had a chance to experience. What an honor it is to give back to our soldiers, especially ones that have sacrificed the life they once knew, to give us the life we all know now.
Sarah's original transcript to White Willow Studio: "I have some friends- Nick and Jamie- they married at the courthouse 4 days before Nick deployed to Iraq in 2004. 64 days later, he returned home a quadriplegic. Jamie recently expressed how she wished they had a "real" wedding. Cielo at Castle Pines has donated the venue, we also have recieved the following services as donations: caterer, cake, photographer, hair, makeup, flowers,DJ and news coverage. We are surprising Jamie on Friday that she gets to start planning their wedding. Would White Willow Studio donate videographer services?"
Of course our answer was yes! After know what this would mean to Jamie and Nick, we'd love nothing more than to help their dream come true. Please donate to help sponsor our trip to Colorado for Nick and Jamie's wedding they've always dreamed of, taking place this spring.
Sincerest thank you's from White Willow Studio for your continuing support.
